Ice Cream & Photoshoots

I think I definitely fell in love with Vietnam today. Hello from Hoi An, Vietnam, the most beautiful old-style city one could ever hope of encountering in life. What a welcomed change this is from the beach town of Nha Trang, and the busy city life of Ho Chi Minh city. Hoi An is an old Vietnamese city with quiet streets, beautiful architecture, and friendly faces. The scenery is very French-inspired, so many of the buildings are warm-colored (mostly yellow), with second-level balconies overlooking the streets. Every street corner has the charm and elegance as the next - it's hard to decide where to point the camera! It truly is a picturesque city, this is the Vietnam I've been waiting for!

I arrived yesterday morning (after a long and not-too-comfortable bus ride from Nha Trang), and spent the entire afternoon wandering around the streets of Hoi An with my friend Brad - following Lonely Planet's walking tour of the city. We went through the old streets, stopped at temples, markets, covered bridges, and walked along the idyllic riverfront. Perfect walking day, to say the least! Last night we got some food, and ended up at a Western bar playing foosball, cards, with some beer to cap of the day.

Today was truly special. Brad & I rented a motorbike and drove out to My Son - a famous ruins site located about 45 km outside of Hoi An. Yes - I drove the motorbike for the second time in my life today! Very successful, in my opinion. (No accidents!) The scenery on the way out and back was stunning - we drove through the countryside, passing rice paddies, small villages, and so many people living their lives, apart from the tourist/western influences.

My Son was really beautiful - it reminded me of some of the temples at Angkor Wat. The site is truly a national legacy, and unfortunately most of it was destroyed by American bomber planes during the Vietnam War. We spent about an hour walking around the ruins and then got back on the bike and headed back to Hoi An (I drove about halfway back, so I'd say that my driving skills are pretty excellent right now - lots more motorbike driving for me in the future!!!)

The best part of today was when we stopped at a small village for a water break and were surrounded by about 12 little kids. We started playing with them and then taking their picture - they were obsessed with my digital camera. They couldn't get enough of it. When I videotaped them and then showed it to them, I don't think they've ever laughed that hard in their lives! It was great, Brad & I bought them all ice cream, laughed some more, and then headed off. It's moments like that - stopping and hanging out with the kids - that I'll remember forever.

The man who oversaw the icecream stand told us about he and his father, a member of the Viet Cong, who were living at My Son when the Americans bombed the site. It's amazing to see how one bombing campaign 35 years ago can affect an entire community across multiple generations. It gave me hope that this man can look at me, an American, and treat me warmly just like any other friend - even when it was my country that destroyed his.

The drive back through the countryside as the sun was setting capped off what was a genuinely beautiful day. Beautiful fields, stunning scenery, this is the Vietnam that everyone should see.

Ok - that's all for now folks...OH YES, one more thing: Hoi An is famous for tailored clothing, and I'm proud to say that I have 4 new gorgeous, tailored shirts, and a brand-new tailored gray wool coat for the fall. Watch out streets of New York/The Hague. :-)

Lots of love always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!